1977 1150 Distributor Cap Issues

[kck8385]

1977 1150 S#4689451
I was doing some troubleshooting and was going to remove my distributor cap to make sure it is clean and the carbon button is in tact and I have two issues,

1. When I went to unplug the coil wire from the coil my hand pushed against #2 plug wire and it fell out of the distributor cap. The fitting is still in the cap. Can I unscrew the fitting from the cap and reattach it to the wire.

2. I can't get the distributor cap off. I took off the retaining ring but it is stuck like its glued on and I don't want to break it. Am I missing something or do I just need to force it?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Alumarine]

I can't help you but do not do anything to break the rotor under the cap.
You can't believe how expensive they are.
The cap isn't cheap either.

 

[Chris1956]

I would think you need a new spark plug wire. Hopefully you can get the threaded part out of the cap.

Gently smack the cap with a screwdriver handle to loosen it. Unless the PO did something dumb. it should just pop off.

 

[kck8385]

I finally got the distributor cap off. I had to resort to forcing a small flat head screwdriver between the cap and distributor to break it loose. The gasket was glued on or something. I was also able to unscrew the terminal from the cap and have crimped it back on temporarily until I can get another wire.

Question.
1. When I unscrewed the other wires from the distributor cap the screw in terminals were covered in grease. Is this proper?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Chris1956]

Unless that grease is conductive, I think you should wipe it off. The terminals and cap are brass, under boots and vertical so there should not be any corrosion.

 

[kck8385]

I do not know what the substance is. The smell reminds me of cosmoline and it is sticky as all get out. I had to use lacquer thinner to get it off my hands. Can I use carburetor cleaner, lacquer thinner or electrical parts cleaner to clean the grease out of where the wires screw in? I don't think it will damage the plastic.

 

[Mercurylips]

Lacquer thinner will melt plastic. Use paint thinner or just plain gasoline (safely) to be sure you're not damaging parts.

 

[kck8385]

I didn't think the lacquer thinner through. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[kck8385]

Do the lugs inside the cap need to be shiny clean or will they just oxidize quickly again?